Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-09-09


rs the cast wind blow through 'Aoir tall
tops,
"a saw no living object far or near
except black cat prowling over tho
trackloss snow making her way to-
ward the old brown barn, until almost
opposite the old scool-houso, WHOM my
horse shicd suddenly, jumping TO tho
roadside, and seeming terrified. Look
| ing toward the building TO learn, If
possible, the cause of such nm outbreak
in my Normandy pony, usually so true,
saw the form of u man leaning
| against the low door; his face was
| toward me, and ms the moonlight fell
| upon II ] was sure | recognized the son
| of widow who lived half u mile down
the rivera worthy woman, loved and
honorcd by her noighbors; but this son
vas rover. There had becn ugly
stories whispered concerning him, as
villagers gathered around the fires nt
the waysidc inn on winter nights,
stories that were hushcd only on nc
count of his mother. 1t had been hint
cd that he belonged to gang of bur-
glars that infested the valley, and
several daring deeds of housc-brcuking
had been laid by suspicion at his door.
These reports camc TO my mind rs hc
stood motionlcss in the shadow of the
school-housc. Once l fancicd that he
moved us though he would spring to-
ward me. 1t might have been tho
shadow of the trco behind him rs the
wintry wind blew through its branches.
The loneliness of the place, coupled
with tho reputation the man bore,
struck me like chill, and scizing my
long whip touched my pony, and VIC
were of like the thistle down.
"Soon after, turning n sharp corner,
we came in sight of tho farmhouse
lights, and driving around to the side
porch were met by Farmer Miles who
took my horse, bidding me hasten with
out delay. | entered the living room
or kitchen, where some maids were
busy at their evening work, and tho
hired men were eating their supper.
only paused 20 lay aside my outer
wraps, then followed my guido across
n broad hall 10 a large room on tho
south side of the house Where found |
my patient tossing on bed of delirium,
and went to work Immediately to find |
relief for her. A few moments after
my entrance, | noticed large dog, |
lying couchcd ut the foot of tho bed. |
just in my path ns | went from the table |
to the bedside, and making it neccs-
sary for the attendants to 20 around or
step over the intruder. or tho species |
known rs the st. Bernard, he was the
largest | had ever seen. His face was
wonderfully intelligent, his fur black
as jet and glossy as satin, with barely
ono mark of white, well defined cross
in his forehead. fell in love with the
animal, while | wondered why the
huge fellow was permitted to lie di-
rcctly in the way, or even admitted at
all to the sick chamber.
II remained until my patient was
quiet, and my last glance rs | left the
room was at the great dog, still lying
in the same attitude by the bedside.
1t was past midnight when | took the
lines from the farmers hand and be-
gan my homeward drive
"Alone on the highway found my
self wondering why Phil Smithson was
on that lonely road at that hour, and
if he were still there. The moon was
sinking toward the west, leaving part
of the landscape in shadow as l APP
preached again the school-housc in the
grove of pines. Looking sharply be-
tween the tall trees toward tho build
ing, my heart seemed to leap TO my |
throat, for to my unboundcd surprise
there stood the same man, in tho same |
position by the doorway. Il must be
deceived, it is Incredible said to my
self, still gazing with intense interest
as drove forward.
IL was not left long in doubt, for rs
/ reached a point directly opposite
from the door the man came with n
bound over the snow, shouting as he
did so: Halo! doctor, hallon and
snatched at the reins. Riding along so
much at the dead of night, ] had
trained my thoroughbred Normandy so
and u peculiar pull at the rcins, she
understood that sho was to make her
topmost speed. The whole attitude,
voice and manner of Phil Smithson that
night looked ugly TO me. He might
wish only n ride to town-he might
have pal or two secreted in the old
school-housc beneath the pines AT all
events | was not in the mood of taking
any thing on trust mt midnight in that